Press Release  Trump Administration Withholds $108 Million in K-12 Funding for Massachusetts Schools 

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration is condemning the Trump Administration for its unprecedented withholding of billions of dollars in education funding across the country, including $108 million for Massachusetts schools. This annual funding was already appropriated by the U.S. Congress and was expected to be received by states on July 1. 

School districts rely on this funding for a range of programming, including summer and after school programs, behavioral and mental health supports, bullying prevention and intervention, reducing chronic absenteeism, buying materials and supplies for classrooms, and more. 

“Every day that goes by without this education funding hurts children, educators, communities and our economy,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Without this funding, districts are going to be forced to lay off staff, delay or cancel programs and services, and disrupt learning. Our schools were promised this funding, and the Trump Administration needs to deliver it."

“I chaired a school committee, and I know what these federal dollars mean for our kids locally – high-quality educators, adult education that helps families succeed, and access to after school programs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Trump Administration’s actions will impact every school district in our state and have far-reaching effects today and into the future.”

The U.S. Department of Education notified all states on June 30 that certain federal education grants would not be issuing grant award notifications on July 1 and are “under review” to make sure they align with President Trump’s priorities. The grants include:

• Title I-C, which provides educational support for children of migratory agricultural workers and fishers;
• Title II-A, which supports systems of support for excellent teaching and leading; 
• Title III-A, which supports English learners;
• Title IV-A, which supports high-quality educational experiences for students; and 
• Title IV-B, which supports Out-of-school 21st Century Community Learning Centers. 

In separate correspondence, the U.S. Department of Education also communicated that they are withholding funds for the Integrated English Language and Civics Education programs, as well as the Adult Basic Education Grants to States program. 

Altogether, the federal funding in question promotes high-quality teacher and principal programs, services for new teachers, professional development, and activities related to recruiting and retaining effective teachers and principals. It also supports academically enriching out-of-school time programming, with a focus on core academic areas such as reading and math. Further, it funds resources for multilingual learners and their families and supports local adult education programs and literacy services, English for non-native speakers of English, numeracy, and high school equivalency/adult diploma programs (ADP). The funding also enables activities related to safe and supportive schools and community collaboration, including bullying prevention and intervention and behavioral and mental health supports.

“This is another action by the Trump Administration to create chaos and hurt our students. Donald Trump does not get to unilaterally decide which students and schools are deserving of federal support. Congress appropriated these funds, and they need to be issued to states,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Intentionally withholding this funding is going to have detrimental impacts on every state and all communities, especially for some of our most vulnerable students.”

“Withholding these funds will make our schools and communities weaker and puts our students’ success at risk,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “Our teachers and schools cannot do their best work if the federal government removes promised funding.”

Statements:

Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland):

“Withholding education funding directly harms young people, educators, and school districts across Massachusetts. President Trump and his administration are playing with students’ futures and educators’ livelihoods. The President must respect the separation of powers and Congress’s Constitutional authority to appropriate funding. I urge him to release these funds immediately—and I urge Congress to stop ceding their power to this President.”

House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy):

“These cuts aren’t just numbers—they’re real harm to Massachusetts students and schools. The Trump Administration’s actions are not just reckless and mean-spirited—they are a direct attack on the promise of public education and opportunities for all."

Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education:

“The Trump Administration is treating our children as pawns. The very weekend the President signs legislation that provides tax cuts for the most wealthy, he tells our students to wait for funds they are counting on. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for calling this out and we will work together to address this.”

State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education:

“Once again, the Trump administration is choosing the path of cruelty and chaos by waiting until the last possible moment to announce their unconstitutional decision to hold back funding. These actions will harm our students, increase the burden on working families, and put even more pressure on municipalities and school districts across the state that are struggling with their finances.”

Dr. Mary Bourque, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents:

“With the withholding of these critical federal funds, the Trump administration is once again playing politics at the expense of students and families. In particular, by delaying or denying funding to support students who are English learners, migrants, and immigrants, the President is doubling down on his attack on some of our most vulnerable populations who are already living in uncertainty and fear.”

Max Page, President, and Deb McCarthy, Vice President, Massachusetts Teachers Association

“The Trump administration continues its attack on public education by withholding billions of dollars in congressionally approved funds earmarked for consequential student services. The more than $100 million being withheld from Massachusetts directly helps young people new to our country to learn English, supports effective instruction, funds literacy support, and provides after-school and summer opportunities for low-income students. Ignoring the law and inflicting cruelty have become routine features of the Trump administration, but we refuse to accept this and are committed to fighting for what our students deserve.”

Jessica Tang, President, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts:

"Schools, students, and families across the nation have - once again - been thrown into chaos by the White House. Deciding on a whim to halt already budgeted, federally mandated funding that supports our most vulnerable students just hours before it was set to be disbursed and days before summer sessions are set to begin for many is not only disruptive, it’s unjustifiably cruel. The fact that it’s being done the same week they’re passing tax cuts for the wealthiest and stripping services from the neediest makes this illegal impoundment all the more inhumane and unconscionable."

Glenn Koocher, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of School Committees:

“Withholding federal funds is a huge disservice that portends even more threats to the stability of school budgets. It is most comforting to know that the governor understands and, as always, has our backs, and shows the courage to speak truth to power.”

Roberta Soolman, Board President, Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education:

"The federal government needs to release the adult education funds lawfully allocated under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, including $10.9 million for Massachusetts. Adult education provides a pathway to economic self-sufficiency for adults and their families, and ultimately prosperity for the Commonwealth. The gutting of the American Dream begins with dismantling the education system by withholding funds, and it is not acceptable policy.”

Patrick Stanton, Executive Director, Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership:

“The devastating withholding of afterschool and summer program funds from the federal government is unacceptable. Communities across Massachusetts know that these programs are keeping young people safe, inspiring them to learn and grow, and giving working families peace of mind.”

Jennifer Aldworth, Executive Director, Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs:

“Failing to release the Congressionally approved funding is an unprecedented action that will have an impact on the on nearly 1.4 million children and families across the country, including the more than 220,000 Boys & Girls Club kids attending 21st CCLC programs across 926 Club sites. States and community-based organizations have already committed these funds to carry out programming for students and families. Failure to release this funding will result in summer camp closures, staff layoffs and closures of Boys & Girls Clubs ahead of the 2025-2026 school year – forcing working families to make tough decisions to support their children. We urge the release of this funding to ensure the safety and academic success of our kids.” 

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